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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois
3 learned with sadness of the death of Helen Jean Sykes-Freeman
4 of Chicago on December 26, 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Mrs. Sykes-Freeman was born April 27, 1932, to Joe
6 and Susie Payton in Macon, Mississippi; and
 
7     WHEREAS, She attended school in Mississippi and moved to
8 Chicago in 1951; following the relocation, she married William
9 Sykes; to this union two daughters were born, Yolanda (Renee)
10 and Linetta (Net); and
 
11     WHEREAS, In 1951, she joined Holy Trinity M.B. Church where
12 she served as a member of the Usher Board; in 1973, she and her
13 family joined Zion Travelers M.B. Church where she served as
14 the President of the Usher Board for almost 30 years; she later
15 joined True Christian Fellowship Church under the leadership of
16 her brother, Rev. Andrew Payton; and
 
17     WHEREAS, She later married Samuel (Sam) Freeman, her
18 friend, companion, and traveling mate; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Her passions in life included cooking, making her
20 famous white potato pies, jello molds, and fresh coconut cakes,
21 traveling, and most of all, her family and serving God; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Her family had many names for her, such as Jean,
23 Little Auntie, Mama Helen, Mamma, Grandma, The Cookie Lady, and
24 her newest name, Big Granny; the name that stood out most was
25 Job's Sister because she endured so much in her life like Job,
26 and when faced with life's tragedies and obstacles, she knew
27 she could handle them; and
 
28     WHEREAS, Although Helen bore only two children, she was a

 

 

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1 mother and grandmother to many; and
 
2     WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents and seven
3 siblings; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The passing of Helen Jean Sykes-Freeman is felt by
5 all who knew and loved her, especially her husband, Samuel; her
6 daughters, Yolanda (Dante) Blanks and Linetta Sykes-Ayanlaja
7 (Hakeem); her grandsons, Desmond, Darns, Quentin, and Raphael;
8 her granddaughter, Glori; her great-grandson, Dailen; her
9 brother, Rev. Andrew Payton; her aunt, Flora Moore; her
10 sister-in-law, Anna Marie Payton; her stepsons, Silas (Orgean)
11 Freeman and George (Juliet) Freeman; her stepdaughters, Brenda
12 (John) Shannon and Loretta Herron; her goddaughters, Melanie
13 and Jennifer; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives,
14 friends, and her church family; therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
16 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
17 Helen Jean Sykes-Freeman and extend our sincerest condolences
18 to her family, friends, and community; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to her family as an expression of our deepest
21 sympathy.